Competing with Me

I spent most of last week in Augusta at a conference. I was presenting a session, but I found there were very few other sessions that would help me at work. Fortunately I had looked at the agenda and planned ahead. I decided it would be a great opportunity to study. 

I'm one of those people who mostly leaves work at work, at least physically. I might ponder something while I'm away, but I don't spend time at home on tasks from work. Over the past year I've been putting in some extra effort to study and get credentials in a variety of financial aid topics. I had already completed five, but had three more waiting on me since May. I took the materials with me and when I had the chance, I would study. I was able to study for and pass two more of the exams. Yay!

I had more than one person ask why I was taking the exams. There are a few reasons: it looks good on my yearly list of accomplishments at work; it shows others in my office that I am willing to study and learn; and there is always that feeling of accomplishment when I pass one of these exams. But I do realize that it is fleeting. 

I Corinthians 9:25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

Thankfully because of grace we don't have to work for that imperishable crown, but strive to follow in Jesus' footsteps.